PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun/ New Tehri
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has managed to ensure victories to its candidates in five district Panchayat president and 16 block Pramukh seats even before the scheduled day of voting on August 14.
Following the unopposed election of its district Panchayat president candidates in Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Champawat and Udham Singh Nagar districts, the BJP surprised everyone when it changed its official candidate in Tehri on Tuesday. The party had earlier announced the name of Sona Sajwan, the incumbent president of district Panchayat in Tehri while Ishita Sajwan had filed nomination papers as an independent candidate with the backing of Congress party. In an interesting turn of events on Tuesday, the BJP changed its official candidates and named Ishita Sajwan as its candidate in Tehri. The BJP also ensured that Sona Sajwan withdrew her nomination paper which she did. After withdrawal of nomination of Sona Sajwan, Ishita Sajwan was elected unopposed on the post of president district Panchayat in Tehri.
Interestingly Congress had 14 district Panchayat members, BJP 13 members while there were 18 independent district Panchayat members in Tehri.
The district BJP president of Tehri Udai Rawat told The Pioneer that the party had earlier fielded Sona Sajwan who was elected from Akhodi district Panchayat seat. He said that after holding discussion with senior leaders, the party changed its candidate and declared Ishita Sajwan who was elected from Kot seat. Rawat said that Ishita Sajwan is a young leader and considering this Sona Sajwan decided to withdraw from the contest.
In the remaining seven districts, there will be a direct fight between BJP and Congress supported candidates on the coveted post of president district Panchayat.
There is a direct contest between Madhu Chauhan of BJP and Sukhwinder Kaur of Congress in Dehradun, while in Pauri the contest is between Rachna Botola of BJP and Dipika Istwal of Congress. In Nainital the BJP has fielded Deepa Darmwal against Pushpa Negi of Congress while a keen contest is likely between Poonam Kathait of BJP and Priti Pushpwan in Rudraprayag.
